The New Forest has soared in popularity over recent years, and house hunters are prepared to pay hefty premiums to relocate to some of the area’s more exclusive villages. Today, we’re taking a look at Lymington, the beautiful market town that’s nestled between the sea and the southern edge of the forest.
Lymington’s Location
Lymington really is blessed with the perfect location. The forest sits above the town to the north, and its 145 square miles of woodland and heath ensure that new development is in no danger of ruining this quaint little town. To the south, the Lymington river harbour offers a natural haven for boat owners, and a fast and reliable connection to Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight, via the hourly car ferry service from the waterfront.
With Southampton to the east, and Bournemouth to the west, there’s no shortage of options for the Lymington resident when it comes to either commuting or day trips.
A Short History
Like many of the surrounding villages, Lymington was mentioned in the 1086 Doomsday book. The town’s history actually stretches back a lot further though, with the ancient “Buckland Rings” fort dating back to the Iron Age. In more modern times, the town has been closely associated with shipbuilding, and its largely Georgian and Victorian centre, complete with cobbled roads, make for a picturesque and quaint place to spend a lazy afternoon of window shopping.
Out and About in Lymington
Lymington offers a wealth of things to do despite its small size. This is a real hot spot for sailing, and the Royal Lymington Yacht Club regularly hosts races that attract over 100 boats during the summer evenings.
The town is very well stocked for shops too. You can find everything from small antique traders, right through to the larger high street brands nearby, and the historic Saturday market often draws in large crowds.
An Easy Commute
Commuters will love living in Lymington. With a quick train swap at Brockenhurst, you can be in Southampton in thirty minutes, and from your doorstep to London Waterloo in around two hours.
There’s huge scope for day trips too: The New Forest is right on your doorstep, and the Isle of Wight just a short ferry ride away. The towns position amongst areas of outstanding natural beauty means that walks and cycle trails are close at hand as well.
Relocating to Lymington
A quick glance at the property listings show that Lymington has a fairly buoyant housing market. www.pennyfarthinghomes.co.uk, one of the largest privately owned house builders in the area says, “Lymington has some great property options for both older houses and new builds in the New Forest area, but the market moves quickly here, and prices reflect its sought after location”.
See it for Yourself
A New Forest holiday is the ideal way to sample some of the delights of this beautiful corner of England, and Lymington should almost certainly feature strongly in your itinerary. Spend a weekend amongst its quaint cobbled lanes, and you’ll be in no doubt about where you’ll be making your next new home!
Wendy Lin is an entrepreneur and freelance writer who specialises in guest blogging. She enjoys hiking and boating with her family.